Abstract
This article shows the use of a bistatic reading configuration by optimizing
the angle between the two antennas, which allows isolating the contribution
of the radio frequency identification (RFID) chipless tag from its nearby
environment, thus enhancing the reading performance of the chipless tag for
short-range applications. The idea is to extract as much useful signal
(relating to the tag information or tag ID) from the total signal using a
dedicated bistatic reading configuration. This extraction step is
implemented from a hardware point of view, which is different from classical
approaches based on signal processing. Indeed, based on this technique, it
is possible to read tags even in highly reflective environments (metallic
surfaces) without applying a calibration method, such as subtracting the
environment without the tag or advanced postprocessing steps. For this
purpose, a bistatic antenna configuration is employed, where the angle
between the incident wave and the backscattered signal is chosen to maximize
copolarization configuration. First, a model based on the general scatter
theory is evaluated; it highlights the scattering mechanism involved in the
problem. Then, a proof of concept (PoC) is evaluated, and afterward, a
chipless tag composed of an array of dipoles is studied for identification
purposes. The analytical evaluation and the channel modeling allow a general
implementation of the proposed technique. Anechoic and real scenario
measurements are evaluated considering the presence of surrounding objects.
Finally, nonsystematic errors related to the positioning of the tag are
considered each time without considering a reference (or background)
measurement or the use of specific signal processing techniques.